Put y = x^2 - 6x + 8 into 'y = a(x - h)^2 + k' form

First, I 'd like to apologize beforehand if I do something wrong in regards to posting or not giving enough information. I am a novice with computers and I am STRUGGLING through an online college algebra course with a solid "F." I would appreciate any help with the following problem. I also have no clue how to put this question in math terms on the computer screen, so bear with me.

Given y = x^2 - 6x + 8, put the function in the form y = a(x - h)^2 + k

What does that mean? And where do I begin? :?

I would also like to ask how I can get the math symbols for equations to come up on the computer? I have tried to download software, but I am useless! HELP!!!

What you need to do is 'complete the square'.

First, your quadratic. \(\displaystyle \L\\x^{2}-6x+8\)

\(\displaystyle \L\\x^{2}-6x=-8\)

Take half the coefficient of x and square it, add the result to both sides:

\(\displaystyle \L\\x^{2}-\underbrace{6}_{\text{coefficient of x}}x+\overbrace{9}^{\text{half of 6, squared}}=-8+9\)

Factor \(\displaystyle x^{2}-6x+9=1\)

That is \(\displaystyle (x-3)^{2}=1\)

You have \(\displaystyle y=(x-3)^{2}-1\)

a=1 and k=-1

As for the math format, that's LaTex. I type it in myself. No software.
Click on 'quote' at the upper right of my post to see the code.

Still confused?

How did -8 become part o fthe quadratic and why do you use half of the coefficient? :?: :?:
P.S. (Thanks for your patience, I am very SLOW!) :

go here for a lesson on completing the square.

One more try...

ok, this is my equation:

x^2 -6x + 8 = 0
so my next step is x^2 - 6x = 8?
shouldn't I be factoring at this point?
or am I subtracting 8 from both sides?
Neither one of those seems to make sense.

did you even bother to go to the lesson source I posted? there is a very clear worked-out example of a problem like yours at the bottom of the first page.